Racing Queensland look set to revert back to a 12 week Winter carnival next year, just a year after it shortened the carnival to 9 weeks to make it more appealing.
Brad Davidson, racing journalist for the Gold Coast Bulletin, this morning reported that the changes will see Doomben Cup Day returning to a standalone race meeting.
The proposed schedule would see the carnival run from April 16 through to July 2.
PROPOSED 2016 QUEENSLAND WINTER CARNIVAL
Toowoomba, April 16
Listed Weetwood Handicap (1200m), $100,000 Toowoomba Cup (2150m), $75,000 Toowoomba Guineas (1625m).
Sunshine Coast, April 23
Four $100,000 stakes races (Ascot Handicap, Mick Dittman Plate, Princess Stakes, Tails Stakes) plus $100,000 two-year-old set weights race.
Doomben, April 30
Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) plus three other feature races (Bribie Handicap, Gunsynd Classic, Dalrello Stakes).
Gold Coast, May 7
Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) plus five other feature races (Prime Minister’s Cup, Gold Coast Guineas, Gold Coast Bracelet, Ken Russell Memorial Classic, Silk Stocking).
Eagle Farm, May 11 (Wednesday)
Scheduled date for return to racing at Eagle Farm. Mid-week meeting.
Doomben, May 14
Group 1 BTC Cup (1200m). Four other feature races (Champagne Classic, Rough Habit Plate, Member’s Handicap, Chairman’s Handicap).
Doomben, May 21
Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) plus six other feature races (The Roses, BRC Sprint, Chief De Beers Handicap, Fred Best Classic, Hampden Stakes, Bright Shadow Quality).
Doomben, May 28
Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1350m) plus six other feature races (Daybreak Lover, Grand Prix Stakes, Lord Mayor’s Cup, Premier’s Cup, BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes, Glenlogan Park Stakes).
Eagle Farm, June 4
Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2400m) plus seven other feature races (Eagle Farm Cup, QTC Cup, Lightning Handicap, Queensland Day Stakes, Spear Chief Handicap, The Phoenix, Juanmo Stakes).
Eagle Farm, June 11
Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m), Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) plus six other feature races (Queensland Guineas, Brisbane Cup, Dane Ripper Stakes, Strawberry Road Handicap, Lancaster Stakes, Hinkler Handicap)
Ipswich, June 18
Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m) and Listed Eye Liner Stakes (1350m), Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic (1350m).
Eagle Farm, June 25
Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) plus four other feature races (Healy Stakes, Tattersall’s Cup, Tattersall’s Racing Club Quality, Mercedes Benz Stakes).
Sunshine Coast, July 2
Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m), Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) and Group 3 Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m).
